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THE Cambodian government announced a trial visa-free policy for Chinese tourists on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. This policy was launched to attract more Chinese tourists amidst competition in the tourism industry in Southeast Asian countries.
As reported by the Khmer Times, the visa-free policy will be valid for four months, from June 15 to October 15, 2026, under a pilot program announced by the Ministry of Tourism. This visa-free policy allows for 14-day visits during the four-month period without requiring any application or fees. Travelers only need to fill out an E-arrival card.
According to Tourism Minister Huot Hak said this visa-free policy for Chinese citizens is the first of its kind in the country’s tourism promotion program. We are implementing this exemption to demonstrate good progress, so the government can consider extending it from four months to 12 months..
Hak also urged tourism industry associations, tour operators, and the private sector to offer tour packages to Chinese nationals to encourage more visits to Cambodia.
Chinese online travel platforms reported a surge in searches following the announcement. Several destinations are popular with Chinese tourists, including Angkor Wat. Following the news, searches for flights to Phnom Penh (Dakhmao Airport) and Siem Reap saw a significant spike, according to a statement provided by Qunar.com to the Global Times on Wednesday, (12/04), 2025.
Searches for flights from Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen to Phnom Penh increased 5.2-fold, 4.3-fold, and three-fold, respectively, compared to the previous hour. Most flights from major Chinese cities to Dakhmao Airport are now priced below 1,000 yuan (IDR2.4 million), while fares from cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen have dropped below 500 yuan (IDR1.8 million).
Siem Reap, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, is a major tourist attraction. Flight searches to Siem Reap have increased, with searches for the Shanghai-Siem Reap route increasing fivefold.
This visa-free trial is in line with existing tourism cooperation and is expected to further facilitate bilateral travel and deepen cultural exchanges.
Zhang said that from an economic perspective, Cambodia wants to attract more Chinese visitors through the visa-free policy to boost tourism-related revenue. Zhang added that the policy’s real impact will depend on whether the country can effectively absorb the surge in demand—particularly by improving service quality and strengthening safety measures for travelers. [tempo.co/photo special]
